With Corona, the Gaming Industry Faces 'Reality Meeting'

Transition to Daily Recovery Quarantine System
Nexon and Netmarble Adopt 3-Day Workweek

The gaming industry is normalizing operations as the government transitions to a phased daily recovery (With Corona) quarantine system.

According to the gaming industry on the 2nd, Nexon has proactively changed its working method ahead of others in the industry. Since the 25th of last month, it has switched to a ‘3+2’ work system for daily recovery. Employees go to the office three days a week and work from home for two days. Company dinners are also allowed within the scope of quarantine rules, but it is encouraged to hold them during lunch hours. A Nexon representative explained, "This is a measure to gradually restore the previous daily life while adapting to changes in the COVID-19 situation in the long term."

Netmarble also changed to a three-day office attendance system the day before. Netmarble had implemented company-wide remote work for four months starting in July. A Netmarble representative said, "For about two years, we have been alternating between remote work and office attendance in line with the COVID-19 situation and the government’s social distancing levels. Since the government is expected to shift to a phased daily recovery policy, we will operate with a three-day office attendance system starting the first week of November." However, pregnant employees, those with symptoms, and those who have been in contact with confirmed cases will continue remote work.

Pearl Abyss has implemented a full company attendance system starting the day before. Pearl Abyss is actively preparing new titles such as Dokkaebi, Red Desert, and Plan 8. Since all these games are highly anticipated by the market, a massive development workforce is reportedly being deployed. Additionally, the Chinese service for Black Desert Mobile, which has received a game license (panho) for service in China, is also upcoming. A Pearl Abyss representative said, "This is a measure to prepare for new titles."

NCSoft has decided to maintain remote work until next week. However, as the atmosphere of gradually returning to the office is forming in the gaming industry, changes are highly likely in the future.

So far, the gaming industry has faced setbacks such as delays in new releases due to remote work. Although various know-how has been accumulated during long-term remote work, development tasks and various meetings are often more efficient when conducted face-to-face. A gaming industry official said, "Even during remote work, there were employees who actually came to the office to work, so with the implementation of With Corona, the number of people coming to the office is expected to increase."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.